(CRIMEA) – A rare Russian Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) has been struck by a Ukrainian drone while travelling in a convoy in occupied Crimea. The strike occurred as the convoy moved north towards the Zaporizhzhia region.
Video footage released by Ukrainian defence sources shows a drone, type unconfirmed, spotting the Russian column.
The convoy consisted of several Ural trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns, a support vehicle, and the Tornado-S MLRS at the front. The drone struck the rear of the MLRS. No spotter drone footage of the impact was available, but the strike appeared effective.
The Tornado-S is an upgraded version of the BM-30 Smerch, equipped with GLONASS navigation for improved accuracy and an increased range of approximately 120 kilometres. Its launch readiness time is reduced to three minutes.
Russian forces had ordered at least 20 Tornado-S launchers by 2019, with additional orders since, though exact delivery numbers remain unclear. The system is considered rare, with open-source intelligence listing only one command vehicle and one launcher destroyed, though analysts believe three or four may have been lost.
The convoy was likely moving from a permanent base in Crimea to a firing position in Zaporizhzhia, accompanied by trucks with anti-aircraft guns for close range defence.
The air defence appeared ineffective during the engagement.
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